National Gallery and 14 Henrietta Street win the RIAI Silver Medals for Conservation and Restoration

National Gallery awarded the RIAI Silver Medal for Conservation and Restoration for 2014–2016

National Gallery of Ireland’s Historic Wings Refurbishment by Heneghan Peng Architects and Blackwood Associates Architects is the winner of the RIAI Silver Medal for Conservation and Restoration 2014–2016. The winning entry has been described as displaying both ingenuity and restraint in its approach, working with the existing buildings and unlocking dormant potential to reinvigorate the gallery.

The Jury commended the project for bringing both light and space deep into the heart of the building but not allowing bold moves distract from the integrity of the historic buildings. 

Róisín Heneghan and Kevin Blackwood of Heneghan Peng Architects and Blackwood Associates Architects, respectively, said:

“Winning the RIAI Silver Medal for Conservation and Restoration for our work on the Historic Wings refurbishment at the National Gallery of Ireland is especially rewarding, as the award recognises work that has been completed for 7 years and has withstood the test of time and use. The project has succeeded because of the commitment of the Office of Public Works, the National Gallery of Ireland, the entire design team and contractors. Together we have delivered a project which appears subtle and at ease, despite the extensive scale and scope of the necessary interventions in the historic buildings.”

The Office of Public Works said:

“We are delighted that the National Gallery of Ireland Historic Wings Refurbishment project has been selected as the winner for the RIAI Silver Medal for Conservation and Restoration 2014–2016. The OPW was very proud to lead this complex and challenging conservation project where a successful collaborative process between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland, the National Gallery of Ireland, the OPW and our design team, led by Heneghan Ping Architects, has resulted in an exemplar conservation project that contributes significantly to the preservation of both Ireland’s architectural heritage and the National Collection for generations to come.”

14 Henrietta Street awarded the RIAI Silver Medal for Conservation and Restoration for 2017–2019

14 Henrietta Street by Shaffrey Architects is the winning entry for the RIAI Silver Medal for Conservation and Restoration 2017–2019. 14 Henrietta Street has won the award for its exemplary take on conservation. The jury noted that the team had skilfully charted the difficult task of conveying three hundred years of history and change, while still managing to be contemporary in approach. With decision making informed by research, there is a fine balance of conservation, repair and modern intervention.

Upon receiving the medal Gráinne Shaffrey of Shaffrey Architects said:

“This unique project is primarily about telling the story of a remarkable building in a remarkable street which has much wider resonance and meaning. We were involved in the architectural recovery of No 14 since 2005 and so to have been awarded in such a manner by our peers brings us great joy. We see the Silver Medal as also acknowledging the significant collaborative endeavour of this project, with Dublin City Council as supportive and ambitious client, with our design team colleagues, the contractors and craftspeople through all stages, the researchers, curators, poets and oral history team and, above all, the generosity of former residents and community who wholeheartedly engaged with this project.”

Heritage Officer with Dublin City Council, Charles Duggan has overseen work to the house since 2007. He said:

“The acknowledgement of this unique project by the RIAI is a testament to the foresight and courage of Dublin City Council for commencing work on the house in 2008 and persevering through the depths of the recession. The award honours the professionalism and tireless dedication of Shaffrey Architects with whom the City Council worked closely for ten years to bring this house back to life. It also recognises the hard work and skill of Gem Construction and their craftsmen. Most importantly, it celebrates the support of the house's community of former residents who shared with us their memories and insights enriching our understanding of this deeply special place."

Additional recognition

Additional recognition has been given by the Jury for three projects for the period of 2014-2016 and one project for the period of 2017-2019.

Blackrock Further Education Institute and Carnegie Library by McCullough Mulvin Architects has been Highly Commended for its sensitive conservation of three existing protected structures while creating beautiful learning spaces and making a hugely positive contribution to the revitalisation Blackrock Village. This project shows how well a vibrant community resource can be formed from disparate parts on a tight urban site and is exemplar for the myriad of benefits that the adaptive re-use of significant but under-used buildings can bring to our towns and cities. Photo by Christian Richters.

Humewood Castle in Co. Wicklow by James Horan for Henry J Lyons has been Commended for its conservation excellence and exceptional attention to detail. This project is one of the most thorough restorations of an Irish country house and has nurtured traditional skills that have now been passed on to a new generation. Photo by Ross Kavanagh.

A Special Jury Award has been given to McKee Barracks by Taylor McCarney Architects for the remarkable vision and teamwork between the client, architects and craftspeople and for the project’s legacy. The Jury described the establishment of a brick factory on site as courageous and inspired. The skills acquired will allow for more sensitive and resilient conservation of ornate brickwork and terracotta buildings under threat. Photo by Donal Murphy.

For the period of 2017-2019, 38 Fitzwilliam Place by Lawrence and Long Architects has been Commended for demonstrating how a house in the Georgian core can be adapted to modern residential while retaining the integrity of the existing spaces, conserving the features of the original building and sensitively extending the building. Photo by Marie-Louise Halpenny.